Docket No. 1776-20
Ref: Signature Date
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:  REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD ICO     USNR RET,  XXX-XX- 
 
Ref:   (a) Title 10 U.S.C. §1552 
       (b) DODFMR, Vol 7B, Chp 54 
 
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
       (2) Subject’s naval record 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board), requesting that his naval record be corrected to reflect declined participation in the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP). 
                                              
2.  The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 16 March 2021 and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval record, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 
 
3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice, found that, before applying to this Board, he exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy.  The Board made the following findings: 
 
    a.  In accordance with reference (b), members notified of completion of the years of service required for retired pay eligibility for non-regular retirement must make an election to decline or elect reduced coverage with spousal concurrence within 90-days of receiving notification.  After 1 January 2001, a member who is married or has a dependent child is automatically enrolled in RCSBP if an election is not received within 90-days of receiving notification. 
 
    b.  Petitioner married 25 April 1998. 
 
    c.  Petitioner executed Active Duty for Training orders from 18 March 2003 through 1 September 2003. 
 
    d.  Petitioner earned 20 total years of qualifying service om 4 January 2003. 
 
    e.  Petitioner issued Notification of Eligibility (NOE) to Receive Retired Pay at Age 60 and Participate in the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) on 23 April 2003. 
 
    f.  Petitioner was automatically enrolled in RCSBP Spouse coverage effective 22 July 2003. 
 
    g.  Petitioner transferred to the Retired Reserve without pay effective 1 March 2009. 
 
    h.  Effective 23 October 2019, Petitioner transferred to the Retired Reserve with pay and was automatically enrolled in Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Spouse coverage. 
 
    i.  On 10 February 2020, Petitioner’s spouse signed a notarized statement indicating that NOE to Receive Retired Pay at Age 60 and Participate in the RCSBP was never received in 2003 and concurred with declining participation in RCSBP/SBP.  
 
CONCLUSION 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following corrective action.  The Board concluded Petitioner provided sufficient evidence to reflect his and spouse’s desire to decline RCSBP coverage.  Moreover, the Board found that although the NOE appears to have been properly issued in accordance with the policy at the time, Petitioner’s deployment likely impacted timely receipt of the NOE. 
 
RECOMMENDATION 
 
That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: 
 
Petitioner elected to decline enrollment in RCSBP with spouse concurrence within 90-days of receiving notification to participate in RCSBP.  Note:  Defense Finance and Accounting Service will complete an audit of Petitioner’s pay records to determine the amount of premium refund.  
 
A copy of this Report of Proceedings will be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
 
4.  It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above-entitled matter. 
 
5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)), and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.